Live review from 22nd Anniversary Festival Day 2:
1)Dirty Caffeine
2)Working Hours
3)Good Evening
4)Line 38
5)Fishbone Antenna
6)Pizza Deluxe
MiChannel bring a refreshing change of pace to the lineup, delivering a groove-driven set that blends keys, sax, and rhythm into a tight, expressive sound. With Michael on vocals and guitar, Rosa on drums, John on keyboards, Adoss on bass, and Chester on saxophone, this is a band that clearly knows how to play together—and enjoy doing it.
They open with “Dirty Caffeine,” easing in with mellow piano chords before the full band joins. It’s an immediate shift in tone for the night, setting up a relaxed but confident groove. Michael is an engaging frontman, smiling throughout and quickly connecting with the audience, while the sax adds a warm layer over the band’s sound. The track builds naturally, with subtle guitar work and a strong piano-led finish.
“Working Hours” follows with a walking bass line that sets the foundation before keys and drums lock into a tight groove. John’s keyboard style stands out here, reminiscent of Ray Manzarek in the way he drives both rhythm and melody while leaving space for the rest of the band. The interplay between keys, bass, and drums is particularly strong, with Michael’s vocals weaving smoothly through the arrangement. A keyboard-led solo section flows into a guitar lead from Michael, before the song resolves neatly back to bass.
“Good Evening” leans into a slower, funk-infused groove. Adoss and Rosa provide a solid backbone, allowing the band to move fluidly around each other. The saxophone steps forward with some particularly tasteful lines, while the drums add texture with rim shots and subtle fills. There’s a looseness here that works in their favour—the band feels relaxed and confident, especially during the instrumental passages.
On “Line 38,” Rosa drives the tempo while Michael actively brings the crowd into the performance, encouraging them to chant along. The audience responds immediately, adding to the atmosphere. As the song builds, the guitar lifts the energy and the band settles into another strong groove, with Chester’s sax once again adding depth and character.
Across the set, what stands out most is the band’s chemistry. Adoss and Rosa consistently lock in to create a dependable rhythmic core, giving John the freedom to explore on keys while Chester’s sax weaves in and out with ease. Michael ties it all together—not just musically, but through his presence and connection with the audience.
MiChannel are clearly a band that enjoy what they do, and that energy translates effortlessly into the crowd. Their mix of groove, funk, and melodic interplay makes them a compelling live act—and one that leaves a strong impression.
Shaun @BRG
